The Accidental Vineyard: An Old House, New Vines, and a Changed Life in Wine Country

In a story reminiscent of A Year in Provence and We Bought a Zoo, a spontaneous, aimless drive from San Francisco to wine country—an attempt to lull a fitful, crying son to sleep—leads a harried corporate executive and his family to a dilapidated nineteenth century Victorian home.

Committing to restore it, they set out to return the house to its former grandeur—a journey that yields much more, ultimately restoring their hope for a well-rounded life.

Consulting with internationally known CEOs, counseling news media moguls, and participating in high-stakes deals with millions of dollars and thousands of jobs on the line, Rich Moran knew the rule: there’s no room for error—no fumbling, misgivings, or delays.

Ironically, it’s a wrong turn on a drive through Sonoma County that sets him and his family on a course to unearth their deepest passions and live a life true to their dreams. They couldn’t resist a promise-laden nineteenth century home, looking past its rotting wraparound porch and leaky roof. When happenstance and a good neighbor show up with grapevines, the transformation of the property grows to include planting a vineyard and making wine. Before long the family of city slickers morph into country mice and join an unexpected menagerie of people and critters in the shadow of Mount Saint Helena.

Toggling between presenting corporate slide decks in the customary blue blazer and poring over demolition plans in work gloves, Rich cultivates a newfound love for getting his hands dirty in pursuit of concrete results—from ridding the home of thousands of bats to replacing the house’s electrical system, all while establishing vines that eventually yield a vintage fit for Manhattan’s popular Four Seasons Restaurant’s exclusive wine list.

Filled to the brim with all the eccentric follies you expect from a chance undertaking turned passion project, The Accidental Vineyard is a raucous, tender-hearted tale of planting the seeds of your passions and cultivating the life you want.